GOP Candidates Stumble On Wage Hike

GOP Senate candidates are struggling to find the right message on the minimum wage.

In competitive fights across the country, Republican candidates are opposing the wage hike, or have sought to dodge the question entirely.

Opposition puts Republicans on the wrong side of polls that show majorities of voters favor a higher minimum wage.

It also increasingly highlights a divide within the party, as GOP figures like 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney have publicly endorsed raising the wage.

The result: Republican candidates are stuck in a tough position for fear of upsetting a base that thinks the wage hike would cost jobs.

“They're having a hard time messaging this,” said Republican strategist Ford O’Connell. “The issue of the minimum wage has dogged Republicans for years ... the hard thing is convincing voters that [raising the minimum wage] is going to cost jobs.”